BROOKVILLE, N.Y. – It was a tightly contested matchup in one of the feature Division II women's lacrosse games of the week, but No. 6/8 LIU Post came up just short against No. 2/3 Adelphi University, 7-5, in the third annual Play for a Cause Game at Bethpage Federal Credit Union Stadium April 7.
 
This year the Pioneers and Panthers were playing in support of four-year-old Kieran Patrick Meekins who is battling cerebral palsy. Kieran is a candidate for a new procedure that could drastically improve his lifestyle, and both teams wore special t-shirts during warmups that included the hashtag #CPStrong to show their support for his battle. All proceeds from today's contest were donated to Kieran's medical fund, and fans helped raise more than $1,000 to assist with medical expenses.
 
It was a tight battle during the opening 30 minutes, as Adelphi bettered LIU Post by just one tally, 5-4, at the halftime break. Following 12 scoreless minutes to begin the contest, the Panthers tallied the first goal on a man-up opportunity. The Pioneers leveled the scoring five minutes later on a goal by junior Mackenzie Hitchcock. The teams traded goals to make it 4-4, but Adelphi took the lead going into the halftime break when Michele Scannell scored her third of the game.
 
The goal seemed to have taken the wind out of the Pioneers' sails, as Adelphi took over momentum in the second half. A goal less than 90 seconds into the stanza gave the Panthers a two-goal advantage, and after 15 scoreless minutes the Panthers struck again to make it 7-4 with 12:43 to play. Despite being held without a goal for the first 28 minutes of the half, sophomore Alyssa Mallery scored with two minutes to play to get back within two goals. The Pioneers won the ensuing draw control, but a turnover in the offensive end sealed the victory for Adelphi as the Panthers controlled possession with the shot clock turned off to hang on for the 7-5 win.
 
Mallery and Hitchcock were the lone Pioneers with multi-point games, while sophomores Brianna Feldman and Trish Brisotti added a goal apiece. In the cage, senior Olivia Kirk made a season-high 17 saves in a very solid performance.
 
Today's contest marked the end of a five-game home stand for the Pioneers, as the team travels to Sparkill for a matchup with St. Thomas Aquinas College on Wednesday, April 11.